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Democracy vs terrorism

Former LTTE leader’s plea to all terrorists:

Excerpts:

Q: While being one of the highly trusted leaders of Prabhakaran, you were the second-in-command of the LTTE. What were the main reasons that led to the split?

A: There were lot of reasons for my displeasure with Prabhakaran. He ignored the chances for a federal solution during the peace talks. I had participated in six rounds of peace talks facilitated by the Norwegians.

At that time, I tried to explain to Prabhakaran about the possibility of a federal solution. But he did not accept my view as he did not believe in a political solution. I forced him to seize the opportunity as many countries were in favour of funding us directly.

But he failed to respond to it and mislead, used the opportunity to purchase more and more weapons spending huge amounts of money. He reiterated that the only solution was to fight for a separate state for the Tamils. He is a man who never believes in a political solution. This was the main reason for my break away from him.

The second reason was the severe discrimination of Eastern Tamils within the outfit. He even discriminated us. There were 25 leaders in the outfit but I was the only leader representing the Eastern region. Other than me, there were no Easterners holding the top ranks of the LTTE.

The LTTE always used the Eastern carders to the front line. We lost over 6,000 cadres in the battle fields. Then Eastern people started questioning and blaming me as to why such a large number of their brethren were getting killed. Then I told Prabhakaran that we would remain in the East without deploying our cadres to Wanni battlefield. He did not accept that too.

At the beginning he had a good leadership. I was not only his military commander but was also the adviser to him. He sought my advice not only militarily but also politically. However, I did not have the faith in fighting. At one stage, I seriously realised that we could not win this war.

Prabhakaran committed a blunder by assassinating the late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Q: How do you assess the loss to the LTTE’s fighting strength after you left the movement?

A: Their fighting strength has been reduced by 60 percent after we broke away. Those days we, the eastern cadres were the tough fighters in the battle front and that was why the LTTE could launch successful attacks against the military. I broke away with 6,000 cadres and I know how capable are the so-called commanders now with the LTTE.

My prediction is that they cannot manage the war. They also cannot launch any major offensives against the military, mainly because they lack good leadership now.

Q: The military offensive against the LTTE is going ahead successfully pushing the terrorists into their last bastion, Wanni the territory which you are so familiar with. Will the LTTE be able to survive?

A: I think Mahinda Rajapaksa government is carrying out military offensives according to a well-formulated plan. Unlike other leaders, President Rajapaksa has taken a firm decision to destroy the LTTE and to liberate people living under their clutches.

He has already proved that the military can defeat LTTE by as it has liberated the East. On the other hand, unlike the previous leaders, the President is confident that the LTTE can be defeated and he is not trying to take political mileage out of the war. Destroying the LTTE is very important for the country’s development. If we can eliminate the LTTE terrorism, the country can be back on the road to prosperity.

In the past the successive governments used the war only to gain petty political mileage. Now the situation has changed. There is a good combination where the President Rajapaksa, the Defence Secretary and the Army Commander together plan the strategy to destroy the LTTE.

As the former military person, the Defence Secretary has a good plan and there is the Army Commander who is a war veteran in the battle field to carry out the military offensives. I know very well about the capabilities of the Army Commander as I have confronted him in several battle fronts.

What is evident is that there is a well designed plan to eliminate terrorism. The military is now attacking the LTTE from several fronts and they cannot face the onslaught. I think, the LTTE will definitely open the Mannar road as it cannot fight back to retrieve the area. I know Prabhakaran’s mind and attitudes very well. He will definitely give up the Welioya, Vavunikulam and Jaffna accesses. He is not in a position to block the Mannar road.

The main reason for this defeat is they do not have experienced cadres to face the military. The LTTE lost several leaders last month.

Q: Why do you think that the LTTE’s second and third rung leaders are still remaining with the outfit? Is it because they are helpless to escape?

A: Really they are helpless and they are now dissatisfied with the leadership. On the other hand, these leaders are frustrated as they are not getting the correct instructions on how to conduct the war.

Q: In such a bad situation, can the LTTE fight back the advancing troops to prevent them from entering its last hideout?

A: The security forces have now entered Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu districts. The LTTE could not stop the advancing troops who have successfully defeated the LTTE at their strategically important locations like Vidathalthiv and Vellankulam.

As they do not have good field commanders, the LTTE cannot hold on any more. Other main reason for this defeat is that the LTTE is not capable enough to face the security forces advancing from several fronts. They do not have enough cadres to fight these experienced soldiers either.

Therefore, they will definitely use the civilians as a shield against the advancing forces at the last stages. That is nothing new to them. They used civilians as a human shield in Vakarai and they will do the same this time as well. That is why the people are trying to flee while the LTTE is blocking whatever the routes through which the civilians move into the government-controlled areas.

Q: It was reported that the LTTE has deployed ‘Theepan’ to lead the Wanni battle. What do you know about the fighting capabilities of Theepan, Swarnam, Banu and Lakshman?

A: I know them and their fighting prowess very well. Theepan was just a leader under me. The others too were same. They cannot lead major battles. These LTTE leaders cannot stop the security forces marching in to the LTTE heartland.

Q: You are well aware about the mindset of Prabhakaran. What will he do at the last stage for his survival?

A: He is totally a dictator. He will never change and I know him very well as I remained with him for over 22 years. In early stages I was his bodyguard. He will never join politics. Now he is prosecuting the war for his mere survival, because he cannot join the political mainstream. He did many more things against the Tamils than any one else in this country.

I know he will never come out of Kilinochchi as his survival is at stake.

He is a man who takes his revenge by killing innocent people. There is a possibility of exploding some bombs in the south as he is being defeated in Wanni. The biggest mistake that Prabhakaran committed was his refusal to accept federalism. He has paid it not with his life but killing thousands of innocent Sinhalese and Tamils.

Eelam has become only his dream now. Though his survival is at stake yet he cannot have any choice other than confining with the guerrilla warfare. In future he can only resort to ‘hit and run’ tactics.

Q: You said that you protected Prabhakaran. Does this mean that he lacks faith among his own cadres?

A: Yes, in early stages our youth joined the movement to achieve our freedom as the past governments neglected our rights. After the 83 riots, the then government ‘manipulated’ the war very badly. Some governments saved the LTTE.

After the Indian Peace Keeping Force was withdrawn, we left only with 450 cadres. Then the late President R. Premadasa gave plenty of money and weapons to the LTTE. Within six months our strength went upto 6000.

That is why I said that many governments prosecuted the war only for their political gains. But unfortunately the late President Premadasa who helped the LTTE financially and also provided them with stocks of weapons was also killed by the LTTE later.

But after I broke away, he lost everything! Now the cadres do not have much faith in him and most of the young cadres are being forced to the battlefield. Even the remaining commanders do not have faith in LTTE leadership. They remain with the LTTE as they cannot survive outside the outfit. They are dissatisfied as they are losing almost all the battles.

Q: You were an LTTE representative at some of the peace talks. What was your assessment of the peace talks which eventually turned out to be a flop?

A: No, I do not think the LTTE leader is in favour of peace talks at all. If they show any interest in peace talks, it is just a propaganda tactic at a time that they are losing their territory and fighting capabilities.

At this juncture where the LTTE is experiencing a defeat, Prabhakaran will use the same tactic to build up the lost strength. Even if he tries to build up from this point it will take a long time for him to raise the outfit to its previous position. However, he is not genuine in peace talks.

Q: What would be the future of the TMVP? Are you in the process of re-organising the party and its political network?

A: The TMVP has already won two elections. I have some idea to send some TMVP members to Parliament. Then it is easy for us to develop the Eastern province. For the last 20 years, there is no development in the province because of the war. Therefore, the TMVP is concentrating on three sectors for development.

They are economic, educational and cultural. Cultural development in the Eastern region is yet in a transitional stage due to various reasons such as the large number of IDPs. Despite the economic and educational downfalls, people in the East are experiencing a social crisis too.

Underage marriages are high, while poverty exists in its worst form.

The main objective of the TMVP is to address these repercussions of the war.

We will serve not only the Tamils but all the communities. We do not want to limit our political work only to the Eastern provincial council and that is why we have decided to contest the North Central Provincial election as well.

We will expand our political activities outside the Eastern Province. We will open the TMVP’s political offices in Colombo and Vavuniya town soon. I met the party members last week and finalised re-organising the party.

Q: Some Tamil political parties seem to be TMVP’s rivals. So how do you plan to get the support of the other political parties?

A: Since we are a democratic political party, we would like to talk to all other political parties. But at the moment, we have only an alliance with the government. We do not have an idea to join any other political party than the government.

When talking about the Tamil National Alliance, I must say that it was my brainchild. When I was in the LTTE, Sivaram and I secretly formed the TNA. This was a plan modelled on the IRA.

The IRA had the fighting cadres and the Sien Fein as their political group. So we created the TNA with that purpose. Then the LTTE became our fighting unit and the TNA, the political movement. Before forming the TNA, Tamil political parties were scattered and I brought them under one umbrella called, TNA.

So, the TNA has become the voice of the LTTE representing the Parliament. I must tell TNA has a good leadership under R. Sampanthan. But they cannot act on their own. They are under the pressure from the LTTE. So they are not free to say anything against the LTTE. The TNA is not an independent political party but a group of Muppets!

Q: Are you ready to have talks with the TNA?

A: Yes, of course as an independent political party we are ready to talk with anyone. If we have a chance to talk to the TNA, we would be happy to accept the invitation.

Q: The LTTE sympathizers abroad are still very active. So how do you plan to get their support towards your political organisation?

A: The people of the East have already rejected the LTTE. At the same time the Northern people are also in the process of rejecting the LTTE. Earlier, the Northern Tamils never wanted to join the LTTE.

The LTTE’s strength depended on the Eastern cadres. The northern people themselves know how to handle the LTTE. When the LTTE tries to conscript a child, his father will offer One to three million rupees to the LTTE. Later they will send their children abroad to escape the LTTE.

I agree that the LTTE still has sympathizers but they are not the real LTTE sympathizers. They use the LTTE for their own advantages, mainly to get asylum. These Tamils living abroad need some problems to seek asylum.

On the other hand the LTTE create a false picture through their propaganda to show that they have sympathizers. Sympathizers abroad are not aware much about what is happening here but the LTTE propaganda creates a different picture for the sake of fund raising.

It is not now easy for the LTTE to carry out their propaganda war as the TMVP too has started its propaganda to counteract the LTTE. We would make them aware that the LTTE is fighting a loosing battle and also use the innocent civilians as a human shield. Throughout anti LTTE websites, we would convey our messages requesting them to stop funding the LTTE.

Q: It is reported that still the majority of the Tamil Nadu people are supporting the LTTE. Do you think that the LTTE has sympathizers in Tamil Nadu as well?

A: What I can say is that three people in Tamil Nadu are making use of the LTTE for their own political gains. They are Y. Gopalaswamy, Ramadas and Thrirumavalavan.

These people have a very little support in Tamil Nadu and they use the LTTE to get the public support for their election propaganda. Nothing else! No one in Tamil Nadu supports the LTTE, after the Rajiv Gandhi assassination.

Over 90 percent of the Indian people have rejected the LTTE after the assassination.

Q: The Indian Prime Minister has refused to meet the TMVP and are you in the process of arranging a meeting with him in the future?

A: I still regret that we lost the chance of meeting the Indian Prime Minister. We want the support of India and I strongly believe that India can play a vital role in developing the country. India is one of the major players in the fields of agriculture and technology.

We need Indian support to develop the eastern province but it has to be channelled through the Central government. We do not want to get the direct Indian support.

I have already written a letter to the Indian High Commission seeking a discussion with the Indian Prime Minister. I am hopeful and expecting an opportunity to meet him.

Q: The TMVP has submitted its proposals to the APRC and do you expect more powers beyond the 13th Amendment?

A: We really appreciate the work done by the APRC. It maintains the independence. My opinion is that the 13th Amendment is enough to address our issues. But there is a proposal from the Provincial Council to have more police powers. I don’t think it is necessary to have additional police powers.

The areas we need powers are the economic development and land, especially to develop the East. I believe that powers should be vested with the Central government. Within a united country, I do not believe in having another police force.

Q: They have proposed to get direct [email protected] investments. Why?

A: No, it is always better to channel foreign investments through the Central government. Because, sometimes those foreign countries will try to take our resources with them rather than giving us anything. If it comes through the Central government there is a responsibility. So, I prefer to have it under the control of the Central government.

Q: One major allegation against the TMVP is that the TMVP is still armed. What are the measures taken to disarm your cadres and what are the measures implemented to rehabilitate them?

A: First, I must say that we do not have any cadres with us now. We are a democratic political party. We have already implemented several plans to rehabilitate them with the assistance of the government.

Majority of these youth will be enroled into the Civil Defence Force and they will serve only in the Eastern province. There are vocational training programs for them. The Government has plans to send them for Korean jobs.

Q: People have a feeling that you and the Chief Minister Pillaiyan are going in different directions. Is there any conflict between two of you?

A: That is not true. The pro- LTTE media and our opponents are trying to create such a conflict between us. We do not have any conflict and I always believe my leaders.

They listen to me and seek my advice. In turn, I listen to their opinion. I also appreciate them. We are a ‘family’. We do not have any problems. Democracy prevails within the TMVP and every one has a right to express his views independently. Even if we have problems, we would solve ourselves we do not want the support of outsiders to solve our internal conflict.

Q: What is your message to the people in Wanni?

A: I request people as well as the cadres in Wanni to come to our areas.

Prabhakaran has spent and will spend everything for his survival. He has taken many lives and destroyed the future of the Tamils. I plead the young girls and boys, who are new to the outfit and recruited forcibly, to abandon the LTTE and come to the government controlled areas.

I request the civilians to flee Wanni as the LTTE is planning to use them as a human shield. The government is ready with several plans to look after the civilians as well as the cadres who flee the Wanni. There are several programs to rehabilitate the LTTE surrenders.

I have a message for the Sinhalese too. This is a very crucial time for all the Sri Lankans. I invite all of them to join together to eliminate LTTE terrorism.

Despite differences everyone needs to be united to destroy the common enemy. People in the South should be more vigilant as there are possibilities that Prabhakaran may take revenge of imminent defeat by exploding bombs in unexpected places.

Q: Do you think he will flee to another country at the last stage of the war?

A: Most of the countries do not welcome him. But there are chances for him to flee illegally to Cambodia or Indonesia. India will not accommodate him.

Q: Is it true that you are expecting a Ministerial portfolio under Mahinda Rajapaksa government?

A: I do not have such an idea at the moment. My main focus is now to develop the East. When time comes and if there is an offer which allows me to do more towards the development of the East, I would consider that. In politics we cannot predict anything!

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Who is Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan

The tragic stories told by the refugees in Colombo who escaped death in the ‘83 riots made him a so-called freedom fighter. The anger among the Tamil youth clamouring for justice fuelled by a movement called LTTE, gained an extra mileage in arousing animosity between the two ethnic groups. That was the time when Muralitharan who was studying Bio Science at the Central College, Batticaloa determined to become a freedom fighter.”

The son of a wealthy farmer in Kiran and the youngest of a family of five girls, ‘Murali’ intended to enter university to pursue his higher studies.

But the ‘83 riots turned Murali, the mischievous but studious teenager into a ‘freedom fighter’. Instead of pens and books he took to arms and ammunitions and went for rigorous combat training in the jungles of Wanni.

The young student Murali became the well-known terrorist Karuna, the name he embraced to represent the LTTE. Murali adopted “Karuna,” to pay tribute to his uncle Karunakaran, a government official, whom Murali loved so much but died in an accident. He was a popular figure among the villagers.

Gradually Karuna became the most trustworthy cadre of the LTTE Leader Prabhakaran and he was made his trusted bodyguard, and then the military commander of the LTTE. In 2003, Col. Karuna Amman was appointed as the military Commander of the Eastern region.

As the Eastern cadres were discriminated and left to die in numbers in the battlefront by the LTTE, Col. Karuna took a decision to change his fate and to swim against the tide. He left the LTTE, in 2004 March with over 6,000 cadres, thus creating a major shake-up, first in the annals of terrorism.

‘I am the number one in the LTTE hit-list. But I am not afraid of them. I think I have done my duty to the country and people’’, says Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan, the Leader of the TMVP.

Today regretting his past, where he fought against security forces for over 22 years, he says that he was misled by Prabhakaran in his dream for a separate State. “Honestly I did not kill innocent people. When I was with the LTTE, I was responsible for the military operations. I did not like to kill people. Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman planned to kill people but not me”, Muralitharan insists.

Karuna Amman always wanted Prabhakaran to be an another ‘Nelson Mandela’, who he says is a great freedom fighter. But all attempts by him to convince him did not bear fruit as Prabhakaran was going ahead mercilessly killing innocent civilians and also those who went against his organisation. Col. Karuna then dropped his ‘dream’ and was instead determined to pursue his dream of liberating the easterners.

Married to a LTTE woman cadre and having two daughters and a son, he says he does not want his children to be politicians or freedom fighters but always visualising them becoming educated citizens of Sri Lanka. “When I was in jail in London I refused to meet my children.

I did not want them to see their father behind bars”, the TMVP Leader who was imprisoned for nine months in 2007 for having forged visa documents says, adding that he had arranged his trip through an agent to see his family, whom he had not seen for more than two years.

Col. Karuna who was famous for carrying a book along with his weapon even to the battlefront, still continues the same. He has a vast collection of books on military matters and spent lots of money to buy books when he was abroad during peace talks.

Former LTTE Military Commander Col. Karuna has read lots of books written on military affairs. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was his role-model when he was in jungles. ‘I used the very same tactics used by Rommel after reading his autobiography’, he says.

Today being the Leader of the TMVP, Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan quenches his thirst for political knowledge by reading books. But today instead of taking world famous military commanders as his role-model, he follows President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who he says has the courage to take bold decisions and knows the heartbeat of the poor as well as the rich.

The biggest mistake in his life: Joining the LTTE

The hardest lesson learnt: Never to become a terrorist.

New mission in his life: Becoming a good politician to serve all communities.

Task at the moment: Fighting terrorism and learning Sinhala language.